Mayor Stewart Announces Free Public Wi-Fi for Downtown

NEW BRITAIN—Mayor Erin E. Stewart announced today that the City has added free public Wi-Fi to several locations in the downtown area as part of her Smart City initiative.

"Internet has become an integral part of our daily lives and should be available to whoever needs it," said Mayor Stewart. "This Wi-Fi will be a convenience to downtown workers, residents, and visitors, who will be encouraged to step outside and experience all that our downtown area has to offer."

Access points were recently installed at the intersections of Chestnut and Main streets; Bank and Main streets; West Main and Main streets; outside City Hall; and Washington and West Main streets. The work was done in coordination with the recent upgrades that the Public Works Department undertook to upgrade the downtown area’s traffic light posts.

In the future, public Wi-Fi will also be expanded to other parts of the City, including Walnut Hill Park and other popular parks and gathering places.

Emergency and public safety personnel will also be able to gather vital information using the various access points with the use of emergency surveillance cameras.

To locate the Wi-Fi, users should select the "NB-Public" network. No password is required, but users will have to accept an agreement and follow our terms and conditions.

"We hope that this complimentary Wi-Fi will encourage visitors to stay in our downtown," said Information Technology Director Adam Pokorski. "Cellular Wi-Fi costs are increasing and technology has become common place in the lives of cellphone users, as well as local government. We are glad to offer this new amenity in the City."